The dates for the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram are likely to be announced on Monday.
Sources said the elections are expected to be held during the third week of November, after the festive season and before the commencement of the Winter Session, which may convene in the last week of November.
Government sources said several projects are scheduled to be announced over the weekend by both the BJP-led Central Government and the State Governments, including Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
While Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Telangana are likely to have single-phase elections, polling in Chhattisgarh is expected to take place in two phases due to extremism concerns, said sources.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced projects and foundations worth a lakh crore rupees, while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi have been unveiling schemes to retain power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and have also been conducting rallies.
The term of the legislative Assembly in Mizoram expires on December 17.
The Mizo National Front (MNF), an ally of the BJP, currently governs the northeastern State.
The terms of the legislative Assemblies in Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh are scheduled to end on different dates in January next year.
Telangana is ruled by the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), while the BJP governs Madhya Pradesh. The Congress rules Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
While addressing a Briefing Meeting for Observers to be deployed for the forthcoming elections to five States, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Friday directed the commission’s observers to ensure a level playing field by working in a coordinated manner to ensure free, fair, and inducement-free elections.
The CEC also emphasised the commission’s focus on inclusivity, by facilitating the participation of persons with disabilities (PwD), senior citizens (80+), and particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) through special provisions such as home voting and accessible polling stations.
Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey emphasised that elections should not only be fair but also seen as fair. He instructed the observers to monitor social media and take corrective actions as and when needed.
Election Commissioner Arun Goel urged the observers to carry out their work diligently, ensuring the rule of law. He emphasised that observers serve as the eyes and ears of the Election Commission of India and should address complaints promptly.
Senior DECs/DECs and DGs also briefed the observers on various important themes related to elections, including EVM, electoral rolls, MCC, expenditure, legal provisions, IT initiatives, MCMC, and social media related SOPs.
Approximately 1,180 officials attended the sessions at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. Officers drawn from IAS, IPS, IRS cadres, and other account services from across the country are deployed as general, police, and expenditure observers.
The Election Commission completed the pre-poll review in Telangana on Thursday. The EC has already completed this exercise in other four States.
